Russell Martin issues Southampton injury update ahead of Arsenal and responds to sack calls

Southampton boss Russell Martin has issued an injury update ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Arsenal on Saturday. It has been a tough first season back in the Premier League for the Saints so far, currently sitting second from bottom on one point, still without their first league win of the campaign.

Arsenal head into this one as strong favourites having made a fine start to the season, currently behind Liverpool by just one point as the second international break prepares to take hold. There are no easy games in the Premier League, though, and the Gunners will need to be on guard for an upset, especially after playing Champions League football during the week.

Ahead of Saturday’s clash, Southampton boss Martin has issued an injury update, telling the Daily Echo: "I think it's pretty much as is. Will Smallbone is not quite back fit yet. Kamaldeen (Sumelmana) is the same. Hopefully, after the international break, we'll have Will definitely available and maybe Kamaldeen as well but apart from that everyone is pretty much the same."

Martin responds to sack claims

Martin has already come under intense pressure, quickly becoming the favourite to become the next Premier League manager to get the sack after Southampton’s winless start. A number of managers have been linked with the job, but Martin remains calm. "I think you have to accept everything as a manager. I genuinely don't listen to very much of it,” he added.

"We have enough noise in our own minds as managers trying to pick the right team, trying to make sure we give the right info, watch the opposition and all of that. I don't really pay any attention to any of that. I didn't last year. We went 25 games unbeaten and I don't now. That's part of my growth as a human being.

"As a player, you listen and in the early stages of social media, you have a look and see what people are saying - a very, very long time ago. Then you realise actually what it's going to be and what it's turning into and what it's used for and how valuable that is. It's not very valuable. Everyone will have an opinion. The people's opinions that matter are my bosses, the owners of the club and the people inside that I work with every day. As long as I am aware of that and what they feel and we're all working together, then everything else is really noise and irrelevant to my position right now."